Decorin is a small leucine-rich extracellular matrix proteoglycan, the expression of which is down-regulated in proliferating and malignantly transformed cells. In the present study we show that the expression of decorin in fibroblasts is suppressed by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and PMA, and that the effect of both is potently inhibited by blocking the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1,2 signalling pathway (Raf/MEK1,2/ERK1,2) with the specific MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)1,2 inhibitor, PD98059. In addition, specific activation of ERK1,2 by adenovirus-mediated expression of constitutively active MEK1 in dermal fibroblasts results in marked reduction in decorin mRNA abundance and production. Co-transfection of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts with human decorin promoter/chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) construct (pDEC--879/CAT) in combination with the expression vectors for constitutively active Raf-1 and MEK1 markedly suppressed decorin promoter activity. Co-transfections of human decorin promoter 5'-deletion constructs with constitutively active MEK1 expression vector identified the region -278 to -188 as essential for ERK1,2 mediated down-regulation of decorin promoter activity. These results show that activation of the ERK1,2 signalling pathway by a mitogenic growth factor, a tumour promoter or transformation suppresses decorin gene expression in fibroblasts, which in turn may promote proliferation and migration of normal and malignant cells.


We present a dependency to constituent tree conversion technique that aims to improve constituent parsing accuracies by leveraging dependency treebanks available in a wide variety in many languages. The technique works in two steps. First, a partial constituent tree is derived from a dependency tree with a very simple deterministic algorithm that is both language and dependency type independent. Second, a complete high accuracy constituent tree is derived with a constraint-based parser, which uses the partial constituent tree as external constraints. Evaluated on Section 22 of the WSJ Treebank, the technique achieves the state-of-the-art conversion F-score 95.6. When applied to English Universal Dependency treebank and German CoNLL2006 treebank, the converted treebanks added to the human-annotated constituent parser training corpus improve parsing F-scores significantly for both languages.


The Choosing Wisely Canada program is intended to facilitate the more efficient use of health care resources. The program has messages for patients to align their expectations with an evidence based delivery of health care and to increase physician knowledge regarding evidence based directives for the appropriate use of investigations and treatments. In the current issue of CJGIM , an assessment was conducted regarding physician knowledge of the program, and the message was not positive. While many physicians acknowledged awareness of the Choosing Wisely Canada program, an appreciation of the specific messages on how to steer practice to evidence based activity was lacking amongst many. As these were the 33% who agreed to participate in the survey, one can only wonder whether a greater lack of knowledge about the program resides in the 67% that refused to participate. Despite having just laid a foundation of pessimism, I still wonder whether physicians are practicing evidence-based health care even if they do not know the detailed recommendations provided by the Choosing Wisely Canada program. The array of recommendations was developed by professional societies representing different clinical specialties in Canada. The Canadian Society of Internal Medicine (CSIM) established its Choosing Wisely Canada Top 5 recommendations by convening a Committee of 20 members that represented a diverse group of general internists from across Canada, reflecting a broad range of geographical regions, practice settings, institution types and experience. 1 Below is the list of the five most recent recommendations targeted for physicians practicing in the field of internal medicine. Don't routinely obtain neuro-imaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or carotid Doppler) in the evaluation of simple syncope in patients with a normal neurological examination. Don't place, or leave in place, urinary catheters without an acceptable indication (such as critical illness, obstruction, palliative care). Don't transfuse red blood cells for arbitrary hemoglobin or hematocrit thresholds in the absence of symptoms, active coronary disease, heart failure, or stroke. In the inpatient setting, don't order repeated CBC and chemistry testing in the face of clinical and lab stability. Don't routinely perform preoperative testing (such as chest X-rays, echocardiograms, or cardiac stress tests) for patients undergoing low risk surgeries. So, how are you doing in your practice? Mitchell Levine Editor, CJGIM


The European Union set a 2050 decarbonization target in the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions by 90–95% relative to 1990 emission levels. The path toward achieving those deep decarbonization targets can take various shapes but will surely include a portfolio of economy-wide low-carbon energy technologies/options. The growth of the intermittent renewable power sources in the grid mix has helped reduce the carbon footprint of the electric power sector. Under the need for decarbonizing the electric power sector, we simulated a low-carbon power system. We investigated the role of hydrogen for future electric power systems under current cost projections. The model optimizes the power generation mix economically for a given carbon constraint. The generation mix consists of intermittent renewable power sources (solar and wind) and dispatchable gas turbine and combined cycle units fueled by natural gas with carbon capture and sequestration, as well as hydrogen. We created several scenarios with battery storage options, pumped hydro, hydrogen storage, and demand-side response (DSR). The results show that energy storage replaces power generation, and pumped hydro entirely replaces battery storage under given conditions. The availability of pumped hydro storage and demand-side response reduced the total cost as well as the combination of solar photovoltaic and pumped hydro storage. Demand-side response reduces relatively costly dispatchable power generation, reduces annual power generation, halves the shadow carbon price, and is a viable alternative to energy storage. The carbon constrain defines the generation mix and initializes the integration of hydrogen (H2). Although the model rates power to gas with hydrogen as not economically viable in this power system under the given conditions and assumptions, hydrogen is important for hard-to-abate sectors and enables sector coupling in a real energy system. This study discusses the potential for hydrogen beyond this model approach and shows the differences between cost optimization models and real-world feasibility.


Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is responsible for the white mold of soybeans, and the difficulty to control the disease in Brazil is causing million-dollar damages. Stachybotrys levispora has shown activity against S. sclerotiorum. In our present investigation, we analyzed the chemical basis of this inhibition. Eight compounds were isolated, and using spectroscopic methods, we identified their structures as the known substances 7-dechlorogriseofulvin, 7-dechlorodehydrogriseofulvin, griseofulvin, dehydrogriseofulvin, 3,13-dihydroxy-5,9,11-trimethoxy-1-methylbenzophenone, griseophenone A, 13-hydroxy-3,5,9,11-tetramethoxy-1-methylbenzophenone, and 12-chloro-13-hydroxy-3,5,9,11-tetramethoxy-1-methylbenzophenone. Griseofulvin inhibited the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum at 2 μg mL-1. Thus, the antagonistic effect of S. levispora to S. sclerotiorum may well be due to the presence of griseofulvins. Our results stimulate new work on the biosynthesis of griseofulvins, to locate genes that encode key enzymes in these routes and use them to increase the production of these compounds and thus potentiate the fungicide effect of this fungus. S. levispora represents an agent for biocontrol, and griseofulvin represents a fungicide to S. sclerotiorum.


Abstract Increasing potassium and reducing sodium intake have been identified as a priority intervention to reduce non-communicable diseases. A low sodium high potassium (LSHP) healthy diet can be a predictor of overall dietary quality and is associated with higher diet costs. The present study was a randomised controlled-feeding trial, formulating menus of low sodium and potassium-rich healthy diet and comparing with usual diet (a control diet based on typical Indonesian diet) to assess the association of potassium intake in the menus with other nutritional contents and diet cost. Totally seventy menus, which consisted of LSHP diets and the usual diets for a 7-d cycle, were composed from the analysis of the Indonesian food composition database. The correlation coefficient of the potassium content of all menus with nutritional quality and diet cost was analysed using the Pearson test. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the most important nutrient in determining diet cost. A comparison of nutrition quality and diet cost from the two menus was analysed using the independent t-test. LSHP diet had significantly higher carbohydrate, protein, fibre, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, potassium density and diet cost but lower total fat, saturated fat and energy density than the usual diet (P < 0⋅05). Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between fibre, potassium and diet cost (coefficient correlation of >0⋅8). Potassium is a nutrient that is closely related to diet quality although the cost of the diet often may inhibit its intake. A targeted and effective strategy is required to provide affordable food for achieving a sustainable nutrient-rich diet.


The objective of the proposed research is to present a new all-digital outphasing transmitter IC, a comprehensive explanation of its operation, and its performance characterization. The all-digital transmitter chip leverages flexible digital phase modulators (DPMs) to adaptively compensate for amplifier mismatches. As the DPM uses a digital input to directly modulate the RF phase of each path, the phase control becomes very simple and accurate for power amplifier (PA) gain/phase mismatch compensation. Furthermore, this digital phase modulation scheme also facilitates minimizing the distortion of an RF combiner. It is newly proposed that two distinct digital predistortion algorithms are required for perfect compensation for both PAs and a combiner. All phase calibration values can be adaptively calculated as a function of outphase angle and saved in digital look-up tables to predistort the phase inputs of two DPMs. Various types of PAs and combiners are investigated to further enhance the performance of the outphasing transmitter. These features are implemented in a chip fabricated in a 0.18-microm CMOS process and evaluated with IEEE 802.16e baseband symbols.


The goal of this paper is to propose correspondence analysis as a technique for generating the so-called erotetic (i.e. pertaining to the logic of questions) calculi which constitute the method of Socratic proofs by Andrzej Wiśniewski. As we explain in the paper, in order to successfully design an erotetic calculus one needs invertible sequent-calculus-style rules. For this reason, the proposed correspondence analysis resulting in invertible rules can constitute a new foundation for the method of Socratic proofs.
Correspondence analysis is Kooi and Tamminga's technique for designing proof systems. In this paper it is used to consider sequent calculi with non-branching (the only exception being the rule of cut), invertible rules for the negation fragment of classical propositional logic and its extensions by binary Boolean functions.


Abstract Neutrons for fusion applications stem not only from monoenergetic sources but also from "white" neutron sources. In this regard, the reaction 3H(t,n) is of particular interest. Continuous neutron spectra of the 3H(t,n) reactions were measured at 5.98-, 7.47-, 10.45-, 16.41-, and 19.14-MeV triton energy at typically seven angles between 0 and 145 deg. The spectra at the three lowest energies contain only neutrons from 3H(t,n)5He and 3H(t,2n)4He reactions and therefore can more easily be interpreted than the spectra at 16.41 and 19.14 MeV, which are too complex to allow a straightforward decomposition except for estimation of the neutron emission cross section following the reaction 3H(t,d)4H. Angle-dependent double-differential and neutron energy—integrated cross sections are given at the five energies. In most cases the peak of the two-body ground state transition could be deconvolved reliably resulting in cross sections of the reaction 3H(t,n)5He. Although the basic scale uncertainty is >5%, severe background, in particular, at the higher triton energies, increases the total uncertainty of integrated cross sections up to 9%. Naturally, the uncertainty of each energy bin of the double-differential cross sections, which depend on bin width, is considerably higher. As no previous data are reported at or near these energies, no direct comparison with other data was feasible. Evidence is provided of the formation of the short-lived neutron-rich nuclei 5He and at higher energies of 4H.


This paper estimates a complete demand system for food for the United States using an extension of the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) with household and aggregate data. The major purpose is to explore the implications of aggregation over consumers. Empirical evidence, based on data from the 1980-87 Continuing Consumer Expenditure Surveys, shows that the regression results and demand elasticities of the household and aggregate models and data can be very similar. Further results reveal factors which affect the similarity of the household and aggregate estimates.


In this paper, we propose a distributed detection scheme for cognitive radio (CR) networks, based on the largest eigenvalues (LEs) of adaptively estimated correlation matrices (CMs), assuming that the primary user signal is temporally correlated. The proposed algorithm is fully distributed, thereby avoiding the potential single point of failure that a fusion center would imply. Different forms of diffusion least mean square algorithms are used for estimating and averaging the CMs over the CR network for the LE detection and the resulting estimation performance is analyzed using a common framework. In order to obtain analytic results on the detection performance, the exact distribution of the CM estimates are approximated by a Wishart distribution, by matching the moments. The theoretical findings are verified through simulations.


ABSTRACT The Japanese automotive and electronics industries are significant to the issue of environmental sustainability considering its impact on global production, trade and product use. Following literature on the links between corporate social performance and financial performance, we attempt to validate if the relationship between environmental innovations and financial performance is not just unidirectional but likewise bi-directional. This comparative case study of Japanese automotive and electronics companies aims to: (1) determine if environmental innovations positively impact financial performance in prior years; (2) alternatively explore if financial performance in prior years positively impact environmental innovations; (S) establish if virtuous cycles exist in the relationships of variables; and (4) probe further if the directions, impacts or relationships hold consistently over a longitudinal period. Panel data regression analysis was performed for ten automotive and ten electronic companies listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, to determine the impact of the variables on each other for both directions from 2001 to 2009. Granger causality tests were performed to establish virtuous cycles. Finally, the same statistical techniques were employed on disaggregated data sets for the periods, 2001 to 2006 and 2004 to 2009, to capture any longitudinal differences. Our findings which point to the stark contrasts between the automotive and electronics companies, allow us to support earlier theorization and propose rival theories for results contrary to expectations. The automotive companies exemplify the resource-based view perspective as positive impacts of environmental innovations that are observed on revenues, profits, assets, long-term debt and equity, and vice-versa. However, these impacts seem to weaken over time. The electronics companies show only revenues and long-term debt as significantly controlled by environmental innovations and vice-versa. There are, likewise, longitudinal differences as a result of the recent global economic crisis in the industry. Virtuous cycles for all variables of financial performance have only been established for a number of automotive companies, and for one electronics company. INTRODUCTION Sustainability research has stirred a debate on its business rationale. Scholars have earlier determined that there is a positive relationship of sustainability practices through enhanced revenues, increased profits, reduced risks and significant cost reductions. However, recent literature reveals that there could be no effect or relationship amongst the constructs of corporate social performance (CSP) through environmental innovations and financial performance. In fact, some have even countered that the relationship is negative. Therefore, we join the discussion by presenting more evidence from the Japanese automotive and electronics companies, through a comparative case study. Using eight automotive and ten electronics manufacturing companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, we perform a panel data regression analysis with firm specifics and fixed effects to establish the relationship. We aim to answer the question: Do environmental innovations positively impact financial performance? Or is it the other way around: Does financial performance in recent years positively impact environmental innovations? Sustainability scholars have also determined that there could be virtuous cycles amongst the constructs, leading us to hence explore this: Do these constructs mutually reinforce each other? Finally, we examine if the relationships hold true over the long run. The first direction of the relationships is based on the resource-based view (RBV) which explains that investments in internal capabilities bring measurable benefits. Alternatively, the slack availability of resources perspective exhibit the other direction of relationships - if not for available resources, firms would not be able to perform environmental innovations. …


In vitamin A-replete populations, increased concentrations of serum carotenoids have been associated with a decreased risk of degenerative diseases. The mechanism of action of carotenoids in determining antioxidant activity is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of carotenoid supplementation and spinach intake on erythrocyte enzyme antioxidant activities, serum or plasma nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations, and concentrations of oxidatively damaged amino acids in plasma. Subjects received for 3 wk a basic diet (n = 10), a basic diet with a carotenoid supplement (n = 12) or with a spinach product (n = 12 per group), i.e., whole-leaf, minced, liquefied or liquefied spinach plus added dietary fiber. After 3 wk of dietary intervention, changes in serum or plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) and uric acid and erythrocyte enzyme activities were assessed, and differences among experimental groups were tested. Consumption of spinach resulted in greater (P < 0.01) erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity and lower (P < 0.05) erythrocyte catalase activity and serum alpha-tocopherol concentration compared with the control group. Consumption of the carotenoid supplement led to lower alpha-tocopherol responses (P = 0.02) compared with the basic diet only. Our data suggest that the short-term changes in erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity and serum alpha-tocopherol concentration can be attributed to an increased carotenoid (lutein and zeaxanthin) intake, but beta-carotene is unlikely to be a causative factor. Lower erythrocyte catalase activity after intervention with spinach products may be related to other constituents in spinach such as flavonoids.


Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Technology, at the Polytechnic of Namibia


BSC-1 monkey kidney cells were enucleated by two cycles of centrifugation in the presence of cytochalasin B. The resulting populations contained 99.5 percent enucleated cells. After infection, newly synthesized poliovirus was recovered from the enucleated populations. Final virus yield per enucleated cell was about one-fifth the yield per infected untreated cell


As a new design concept for high-density memory capacitors, we proposed both RuTiN (RTN) and the RuTiO (RTO) materials as sacrificial oxygen diffusion barriers. The sheet resistance of the newly developed RuTiN and RuTiO barriers after oxidation was much lower than that of polycrystalline nitride and ternary amorphous barriers reported by others. For the Pt/barrier/TiSi/sub x//n/sup ++/poly-plug/n/sup +/ channel layer/Si contact structure, contact resistance was below 5 kohm even after annealing up to 750/spl deg/C. Correspondingly, the new RuTiN and RuTiO films, as diffusion barriers for oxygen, are very promising materials for high-density capacitors.


Acute chest syndrome is a major cause of death and hospitalisation in children with sickle cell anaemia. It is often initiated by an infection, particularly pneumonia. Microbial agents previously not associated with acute chest syndrome are becoming increasingly important. Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) is thought to be an uncommon cause of pneumonia in children with sickle cell anaemia. We report a 15-year-old African-American girl who presented with an acute chest event characterised by fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, right upper abdominal quadrant pain, jaundice and otitis media. Chest radiograph showed multi-lobar pneumonia with left pleural effusion. Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus was isolated from culture of pleural and middle ear fluids. She responded to therapy that included antibiotics, exchange blood transfusion, oxygen, thoracotomy chest tube drainage and decortication. In a child with sickle cell anaemia presenting with fever and an acute chest event, pneumonia should be considered and GABHS recognised as a possible aetiological agent. In addition, a chest X-ray should be obtained and antibiotics against agents causing community-acquired pneumonia instituted.


The longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional microstructures of several internal tin Nb3Sn strands have been systematically investigated. The critical current densities of these strands were then correlated with their design parameters. It is observed that the occurrence of certain coarse grain structures is related to the location of the filaments with respect to the subelements as well as to the strand. Experimental evidence suggests that the existence of these coarse grains is related to Sn distribution during the early stages of the heat treatment. It is also noticed that some coarse grains have high aspect ratio features, confirming the need to study the longitudinal fracture surface. We report in this paper the observation of some unusual grain sizes and morphologies. It appears that, of the high-Sn content Nb3Sn conductors investigated in this paper, a strand's global composition has a weaker influence on the critical current density (Jc) than local and structural factors, such as the local Cu:Nb area ratio (LAR) and filament layout.


ABSTRACT

Ayu Rizky Adelia Putri. 2018. Politeness Strategies In Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby Movie : Pragmatic Analysis Thesis Wijaya Kusuma University, Language and Science Faculty English Department.

The First Advisor : Dr. Ribut Surjowati, S.Pd, M.Pd

The Second Advisor : Drs. Herry Kusmiharto, M.Pd

Communication has a crucial role in a human's life since its function to convey information of certain meanings. It also connected to interaction between people. This interaction has supposed to be polite, and asetiquette. This research aimed to find out the politeness strategies used by the characters in The Great Gatsby movie. The objective of the study were formulated : (1) identify the types of politeness strategy: Bald On Record, Positive Politeness Strategy, Negative Politeness Strategy, and Off Record Strategy. (2) describe the sociological factors affecting the characters choice of politeness strategy.
This research was descriptive qualitative research. The data source of this research were The Great Gatsby Movie released in 2013. The data of this research were some phrases, word, and sentences taken from the characters utterances. The research instrument were the researcher herself. The researcher did observation, give coding to collect the data. Researcher also did some step to analyze the data, namely; data reduction, data display, analysis, and conclusion drawing. Furthermore, Brown and Levinson theory also used to analyze the factors affecting the choices of politeness strategy.
Based on the analysis, the researcher found, first, all of the four strategies of politeness strategy (bald on record, positive politeness strategy, negative politeness strategy, and off record strategy) used by the character in The Great Gatsby Movie. In fact, the positive politeness strategy (Exaggerating interest, approval, sympathy with H) ranks the highest for the category of the most often appearing strategy. Second, there are three sociological factors affecting the characters choice of politeness strategy. They are social distance, relative power, and absolute ranking. The social distance is mostly affecting the characters.

Keywords: Pragmatics, Politeness Strategies, Sociological Factors, The Great Gatsby Movie.


Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are extensively explored in materials science for their mechanical, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties. In the biomedical domain, CNTs are enjoying increasing popularity as building blocks for novel drug delivery systems as well as for bioimaging and biosensing. The recent strategies to functionalize CNTs with bioactive glycoconjugates have resulted in the generation of biocompatible and water-soluble CNTs well suited for highly selective interactions with proteins and living cells. This review covers the latest advances in glycoconjugate-functionalized CNTs with an emphasis on the development of functional biological nano-interfaces. Topics that are discussed herewith include (i) methods for functionalizing CNTs with glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycodendrimers; (ii) understanding of in vivo biodistribution and toxicity of functionalized CNTs; and (iii) their biomedical applications in cell signalling, gene delivery, bioimaging, biosensors and bone tissue engineering constructs. The review ends with a critical discussion of obstacles encountered in the translation of these systems into clinical practice and an outlook into future approaches for glycoconjugate-functionalized CNT synthesis as well as applications emerging on the horizon.


The paper assesses the impact of the elected executive mayor on leadership and management in UK local government. After exploring the new executive arrangements introduced by the Local Government Act 2000, the three themes of governing, governance and allegiance within mayoral councils are discussed in detail. Principally using the results of interviews with a group of the mayors first elected in 2002, the paper suggests that the directly elected mayor has an enhanced individual role in the leadership of the local council, that elected mayors increasingly coordinate the efforts of external partners in the wider governance of the area, that new and potentially problematic relationships are developed with elected councillors and with senior managers, and that there is a changed local political context in which the mayor must now operate. The elected mayor is seen as both leader and manager. It is suggested that mayors have sought a new direct relationship with the public, and that this has implications for the continued role of other local representatives. Finally, the prospects for extending the mayoral experiment under the 'modernization' framework of the government re-elected in May 2005 are examined. Although the mayoral initiative has been adopted in only a small number of councils, it is concluded that leadership and management of the local authority are significantly changed within those areas.


Kernel methods have been successfully applied to many machine learning problems. Nevertheless, since the performance of kernel methods depends heavily on the type of kernels being used, identifying good kernels among a set of given kernels is important to the success of kernel methods. A straightforward approach to address this problem is cross-validation by training a separate classifier for each kernel and choosing the best kernel classifier out of them. Another approach is Multiple Kernel Learning (MKL), which aims to learn a single kernel classifier from an optimal combination of multiple kernels. However, both approaches suffer from a high computational cost in computing the full kernel matrices and in training, especially when the number of kernels or the number of training examples is very large. In this paper, we tackle this problem by proposing an efficient online kernel selection algorithm. It incrementally learns a weight for each kernel classifier. The weight for each kernel classifier can help us to select a good kernel among a set of given kernels. The proposed approach is efficient in that (i) it is an online approach and therefore avoids computing all the full kernel matrices before training; (ii) it only updates a single kernel classifier each time by a sampling technique and therefore saves time on updating kernel classifiers with poor performance; (iii) it has a theoretically guaranteed performance compared to the best kernel predictor. Empirical studies on image classification tasks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for selecting a good kernel among a set of kernels.


Mobilizing climate finance for developing countries is crucial for achieving a fair and effective global climate regime. To date developed countries retain wide discretion over their national contributions. We explore how different degrees of international coordination may influence the fairness of the global financing effort. We present quantitative scenarios for (i) the metrics used to distribute the collective effort among countries contributing funding; and (ii) the number of contributing countries. We find that an intermediate degree of coordination-combining nationally determined financing pledges with a robust international review mechanism-may reduce distortions in relative efforts as well as shortfalls in overall funding, while reflecting reasonable differences over what constitutes a fair share. Broadening the group of contributors may do little to improve adequacy or equity unless the more heterogeneous group can converge on credible measures of responsibility and capacity. The analysis highlights the importance of building common understandings about effort-sharing.


I examine the treatment of metaphor by medieval logicians and how it stemmed from their reception of classical texts in logic, grammar, and rhetoric. I consider the relation of the word 'metaphor' to the notions of translatio and transumptio , and show that it is not always synonymous with these. I also show that in the context of commentaries on the Sophistical Refutations metaphor was subsumed under equivocation. In turn, it was linked with the notion of analogy not so much in the Greek sense of a similarity between two proportions or relations as in the new medieval sense of being said secundum prius et posterius . Whether or not analogy could be reduced to metaphor, or the reverse, depended on the controversial issue of the number of acts of imposition needed to produce an equivocal term. A spectrum of views is canvassed, including those found in the logic commentaries of John Duns Scotus.


Should we be free to self-medicate? In this month's feature article, Jessica Flannigan presents a challenge to our commitment to respecting patient autonomy, arguing that argues that prescription drug laws that enable doctors to control access to medications violate what she calls a patient's rights to self-medication (see page 579, Editor 's choice). She makes the bold point that the prescription drug system has bad consequences and it privileges regulators' and physicians' judgments about a patient's health over the patient's judgment about her overall well being, as well as violating patient autonomy. She points out that the doctrine of informed consent already affords patients the right to refuse medical treatment, and patients may not have treatments forced on them against their wishes. To do so is now regarded as unacceptably paternalistic, and an infringement of individual autonomy. Flannigan argues that the same thinking should apply to decisions about medication. Where a patient wishes to take a particular drug, she should not be prevented from doing so if the choice is informed and competent. Restricting access to medications via the prescription system is a paternalistic violation of patient autonomy. Just as we allow patients to make their own choices about which treatments to refuse, so we should allow them to choose which drugs they will take. The current system should, in Flannigan's view, be replaced by nonprohibitive policies that enable patients to access whichever available medicines patients wish while promoting informed consumer choices by making expert advice readily available. Using the example of different approaches to managing diabetes, Flannigan teases out what she calls the 'puzzle of self-medication'. She presents two cases of risky patient choices for comparison: the case of Debbie, who is advised by her doctor to manage her diabetes by taking insulin, but she refuses this treatment, preferring to control her condition through diet and exercise; and the case of Danny, who is advised to use diet and exercise to control his diabetes, but who wants to use insulin instead. Debbie is legally permitted to pursue her chosen approach and cannot be injected against her will, whereas Danny is prevented from pursuing his if his doctor refuses him a prescription. 'If patients are entitled to make refusal decisions without coercive or deceptive interference', Flannigan asks, 'then why are they not similarly entitled to make treatment decisions more generally?' If we are committed to respecting informed, autonomous patient choices, then this would suggest that we should treat both cases alike, and prevent neither Debbie nor Danny from pursuing the treatment they prefer. This does not entail a requirement that the government actually provide patients with pharmaceuticals, Flannigan argues, only that that they do not bar a patient's way to accessing what is available to others. Flannigan presents three arguments in support of the doctrine of informed consent, which she draws on as her three arguments against prescription requirements. She demonstrates how consequentialist, epistemic, and deontic considerations justify the doctrine of informed consent. She suggests that the doctrine of informed consent leads to better patient outcomes, that patients are better placed to know what is best for them, and that patients have 'the sole authority to make selfregarding treatment decisions even if it is not in their overall interest to do so'. James Stacey Taylor offers a response (see page 587) in which he argues that the moral value of autonomy is not independent of the moral value of well-being, but that this does not undermine Flannigan's argument. Rather, it should lead us to move away from focusing on the moral value of autonomy to justify the doctrine of informed consent, and instead focus on the moral value of wellbeing. We should then draw on empirical studies of the effects of drug access policies on patient well-being to determine how to regulate, rather than resting our policy on 'conceptual arguments concerning the nature of autonomy and how one should morally respond to its value'. Only in this way, he argues, can we decide whether to continue with prescription requirements. In a second response, Nir Eyal finds Flannigan's arguments partially unconvincing (see page 589). He argues that while Flannigan does make the case for non-coercion in the specific area of drug access, she is wrong to say that it is an historical fact that drug prescription requirements prove counterproductive—for some drugs, he states, prescription requirements do in fact promote overall welfare by a large margin (as in the case of opioids). Finally, he argues against Flannigan's stance on the value of autonomy in its own right, holding that 'just because we have the right to govern ourselves doesn't mean, without further argument, that we should have the right to access anything we please to put in our bodies'. Our third commentator, Adrienne Martin, highlights a number of problems with Flannigan's proposal and examines how opponents of her stance might make their case (see page 588). One is the risk of increases in uninformed and reckless drug use and thereby a risk of harm to people other than the self-medicating individual. Another concern is the possibility of an increase in administrative costs brought in by the need for competenceconfirmation and the policing of pharmaceutical advertising. In reply, Flannigan concurs with our commentators that there is a need for further research into the benefits or otherwise of loosening controls on access to drugs, and is pleased to note their measured and partial support for liberalising the system (see page 591). However even given this, she maintains that the burden of proof should shift, and patient autonomy ought to be promoted further, with restrictions on access becoming the exception rather than the norm. She concludes, 'when patients' rights profoundly expanded in the twentieth century, medicine became more ethical as a result. A right of self-medication is the next step'. This issue also contains discussions on a number of other interesting topics, of which we highlight a few below.


The most salient issue of those concerned with the international financial architecture back in mid-2007 was "governance," in particular governance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This involved, among other things, the selection of future Managing Directors (by convention since 1946 always a European), representation on the Executive Board (which is responsible for the operating decisions of the IMF), and voting rights, which were based on out-dated formulae. The "legitimacy" of the IMF was said to be in doubt. This concern with governance was against a backdrop of excellent performance of the world economy since 2002, high and widespread growth, and low inflation but rising commodity prices, which helped exporters of primary products. The IMF had made no significant loans since 2003, many countries had repaid their outstanding debts to the IMF (down from US$107 billion in 2003 to US$15 billion in 2007), and with low interest income the IMF was anticipating difficulty in meeting its normal operating expenses. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Much has changed since mid-2007. The likelihood of worldwide recession has moved governance reform to the back burner--or, in the views of some, made it more urgent. There is much talk of the need to reform the international financial system substantively and calls for a second Bretton Woods, recalling the international meeting in 1944 that agreed on the main features of the post-1945 international monetary system and that led to the creation of the IMF and its sister institution the World Bank. However, a key unasked question lies behind these calls: if international financial governance had been plausibly different, would it have markedly attenuated the magnitude of international ramifications of the evolving financial and economic crisis? My tentative answer is negative, as international organizations such as the IMF are constrained by the limitations on international action. But that is not to say that the IMF does not warrant an expanded role. A New Governance Proposal There were signs of difficulty in the US subprime mortgage market beginning in 2007, when defaults had begun to rise and construction of new residences had declined from their peak in 2005. This even had a modest international impact, as two French mutual funds suspended trading because they could not properly value some of their securities backed by US mortgages. But all this seemed to be mainly a US problem, no doubt manageable. However, by mid-2007, events were changing, often rapidly and dramatically: the seizing up of asset-backed commercial paper markets in August 2007, requiring large injections of liquidity both by the European Central Bank and by the Federal Reserve; the failure and government takeover of Northern Rock, a major British mortgage firm; the takeover of Bear Stearns, America's fifth largest investment bank, by JPMorgan Chase with strong financial assistance from the Federal Reserve; government financial support to two large US mortgage institutions, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; unusual support to AIG, the world's largest insurance company; the failure of Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest US investment bank; and by September 2008 a general flight to safety and aversion to risk among most financial institutions. By the fall of 2008 the IMF was back in the lending business, with loans to Iceland, Hungary, Ukraine, and Pakistan, and more in the works. Governance issues had receded in deference to more operational concerns--not only for the IMF, but also for other parts of the international financial structure, such as the several committees of the Bank for International Settlements charged with improving financial regulation, the Financial Stability Forum, and of course for governments and central banks as the world seemed to be sliding into recession, or worse. Edwin Truman and I put forward a proposal in February 2007 to reform the governance of the IMF, addressed to the issue of legitimacy. …


Zofia Ostrowska, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Silesian Medical University, Zabrze, Poland ul. Jordana 19, 41–808 Zabrze-Rokitnica e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to demonstrate whether pinealectomy and long-term MEL administration can affect bone metabolism (as evaluated on the basis of serum concentrations of PICP and ICTP) in orchidectomized rats. Material and methods: The study included 248 adult male Wistar rats; 6 remained intact, 120 were orchidectomized (Orch), and the remaining ones underwent a sham operation (SOrch). Two weeks after surgery, the rats were divided into 8 groups: 1) SOrch + SPx; 2) SOrch + SPx + MEL; 3) Orch + SPx; 4) Orch + SPx + MEL; 5) SOrch + Px; 6) SOrch + Px + MEL; 7) Orch + Px; 8) Orch + Px + MEL. Animals from 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th groups were pinealectomized (Px) while the remaining ones underwent a sham operation (SPx). Two weeks after surgery rats in the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th groups were administered MEL (50 mg/100 g of bm) intraperitoneally while the remaining animals were administered solvent only (daily between 5 and 6 pm during a month). The animals were decapitated before the experiment (intact rats), after 2 weeks from Orch and SOrch, Px and SPx, after 4 weeks from MEL or solvent administration and after 4 and 8 weeks from discontinuing administration of MEL, and blood was collected for PICP and ICTP concentrations assays with the use of RIA method. Disscusion: In Orch rats, a distinct tendency to increase the studied bone markers, especially ICTP was shown. Pinealectomy had inducing, while MEL suppressing effect upon the level of PICP and ICTP; these changes were more pronounced in Orch + Px and SOrch + Px + MEL groups, respectively. After discontinuing administration of MEL distinct tendency to increase of PICP and ICTP level was shown. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that MEL is an important modulator of bone tissue metabolism in male rats and that deficiency of MEL concentration may be a co-factor in osteoporosis development.


AIMS
The goal of this paper was to estimate and compare the numbers and rates of tobacco- or alcohol-attributable disease (TAAD) in in-patient-treated cases in a high tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption country, based on different estimates.

METHODS
Two samples, three TAAD estimates, and tobacco- or alcohol-attributable fractions were used. Sample 1 included all disease cases aged 25-64 years and treated more than 24 h as in-patients during the year 1997 (n = 7 344 079) in the hospitals in Germany. Sample 2 included all in-patients aged 25-64 years (n = 1136) consecutively admitted to one general hospital. The first estimate of the TAAD was the routine main diagnosis based on the treating physician's report to the in-patient disease register (IDR) in sample 1. The second estimate included up to three routine treatment diagnoses in sample 2, and the third estimate a diagnosis of alcohol dependence or misuse according to DSM-III-R or ICD-10, as well as harmful or hazardous alcohol consumption, in sample 2. The tobacco- and alcohol-attributable fractions were calculated based on the method for the estimation of tobacco- and alcohol-attributable mortality, originally provided for the Centers for Disease Control in the USA.

RESULTS
When the three estimates were combined, a total of 37.8% of all in-patient treatment cases had at least one diagnosis that was attributable in part or fully to tobacco smoking, alcohol dependence, alcohol misuse, or harmful or hazardous alcohol drinking. When the tobacco- and the alcohol-attributable fractions were considered, of all treatment cases, 10.5% could be revealed as attributable to smoking or alcohol consumption according to the one main diagnosis based on the IDR. When all three estimates were combined, the rate was 30.2%. This corresponded to 32.2% of the national in-patient hospital care costs.

CONCLUSIONS
The TAAD rate is underestimated when using one routine diagnosis alone. Additional alcohol misuse or dependence diagnoses are needed, which may be obtained with a reasonable level of resources in a sample of hospitals. TAAD rates may be used for the planning and practice of brief intervention and as an outcome measure for population-based intervention.


CONTEXT
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is clinically heterogeneous, but it is unclear whether this phenotypic heterogeneity reflects distinct, or partially distinct, etiologic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE
To clarify the structure of the genetic and environmental risk factors for the major symptom dimensions of OCD.

DESIGN
Self-report questionnaires and multivariate twin model fitting.

SETTING
General community.

PARTICIPANTS
A total of 4355 female members of the TwinsUK adult twin register.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Scores on the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised and 5 of its subscales (checking, hoarding, obsessing, ordering, and washing).

RESULTS
A common pathway model did not fit the data well, indicating that no single latent factor can explain the heterogeneity of OCD. The best-fit multivariate twin model was an independent pathway model, whereby both common and unique genetic and/or environmental factors contribute to the etiology of each symptom dimension. The hoarding dimension had the lowest loading on the common factor and was more influenced by specific genetic effects (54.5% specific). With the exception of hoarding, most of the genetic variance was due to shared genetic factors (ranging from 62.5% to 100%), whereas most of the nonshared environmental variance was due to dimension-specific factors.

CONCLUSIONS
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is unlikely to be an etiologically homogeneous condition. There is substantial etiologic overlap across the different OC symptom dimensions, but dimension-specific genetic, and particularly nonshared environmental, factors are at least as important. Hoarding shares the least amount of genetic liability with the remaining symptom dimensions. The results have implications for the current deliberations regarding OCD and the inclusion of a putative hoarding disorder in DSM-5.


Context. The exploitation of clusters of galaxies as cosmological probes relies on accurate measurements of their total gravitating mass. X-ray observations provide a powerful means of probing the total mass distribution in galaxy clusters, but might be affected by observational biases and rely on simplistic assumptions originating from our limited understanding of the intracluster medium physics. Aims. This paper is aimed at elucidating the reliability of X-ray total mass estimates in clusters of galaxies by properly disentangling various biases of both observational and physical origin. Methods. We use N-body/SPH simulation of a large sample of ∼100 galaxy clusters and investigate total mass biases by comparing the mass reconstructed adopting an observational-like approach with the true mass in the simulations. X-ray surface brightness and temperature profiles extracted from the simulations are fitted with different models and adopting different radial fitting ranges in order to investigate modeling and extrapolation biases. Different theoretical definitions of gas temperature are used to investigate the effect of spectroscopic temperatures and a power ratio analysis of the surface brightness maps allows us to assess the dependence of the mass bias on cluster dynamical state. Moreover, we perform a study on the reliability of hydrostatic and hydrodynamical equilibrium mass estimates using the full three-dimensional information in the simulation. Results. A model with a low degree of sophistication such as the polytropic β-model can introduce, in comparison with a more adequate model, an additional mass underestimate of the order of ∼10% at r500 and ∼15% at r200. Underestimates due to extrapolation alone are at most of the order of ∼10% on average, but can be as large as ∼50% for individual objects. Masses are on average biased lower for disturbed clusters than for relaxed ones and the scatter of the bias rapidly increases with increasingly disturbed dynamical state. The bias originating from spectroscopic temperatures alone is of the order of 10% at all radii for the whole numerical sample, but strongly depends on both dynamical state and cluster mass. From the full three dimensional information in the simulations we find that the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption yields masses underestimated by ∼10–15% and that masses computed by means of the hydrodynamical estimator are unbiased. Finally, we show that there is excellent agreement between our findings, results from similar analyses based on both Eulerian and Lagrangian simulations, and recent observational work based on the comparison between X-ray and gravitational lensing mass estimates.


Knee muscle strength (MS) tests are important in the knee injury control process for agility sport (AS) athletes. Test reliability must be known or data are not valid and clinical decisions are compromised. Reliability of one repetition maximum (1RM) single-leg (SL) leg press (LP), knee flexion (KF) and knee extension (KE) strength tests has not been reported in a single cohort. Knowledge of test reliability for both limbs (R, L) is important in case reliability is substantially different between limbs. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and standard error of measurement (SEM) of the 1RM SL LP, KF and KE tests for both limbs of uninjured AS athletes. It was hypothesised that tests would have good reliability and small SEM for both limbs. This was a between-day (D1/D2) repeated measures study: 13 athletes participated (male n=6; female n=7; age 25.6±5.5 y; height 171.4±8.4 cm; body mass (BM) 71.8±13.4 kg). Tests employed Cybex VR1 equipment. Test order was: LP, KF, KE. Limb order was randomised for D1, repeated D2. Tests followed typical 1RM procedures: warm-up set (1×10), then consecutive trials with incremental load increases at set percent BM (% BM); 1RM defined as the highest load (kg) moved through the required arc-of-motion. Raw data were normalised to% BM: (load moved BM) × 100. Normality of data, (Shapiro-Wilk), systematic error (paired t-test), relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 2,1 (ICC 2,1)), and absolute reliability (SEM;% BM) were assessed. Bonferroni-corrected α was set a priori: 0.008. Mean ±SD D1/D2 differences were (% BM): LP R 4.3±11.3, L 1.9±20.9; KF R 3.0±7.0, L 0.5±2.8; KE R 1.3±5.1, L 3.1±6.5. All data were normally distributed (p≥0.07). There were no differences between D1/D2 values for any test (p≥0.11). The ICC 2,1 was: LP R 0.98, L 0.94; KF R 0.75, L 0.95; KE R 0.87, L 0.78. The SEM was (% BM): LP R 7.3, L 14.2; KF R 4.9, L 1.9; KE R 3.4, L 4.4. There was no systematic error. All tests demonstrated good reliability, although ICCs between limbs for 1RM KF were very different. All tests yielded small SEMs, although SEMs between limbs for 1RM LP and KF were also very different. Knee injury control studies that measure 1RM LP, KF and KE in AS athletes should be sure to determine test reliability and SEM in both limbs to avoid compromised clinical decision-making for either limb.


Fisheries can have profound impacts on the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems and affect seabird populations. For seabirds, impacts can include direct mortality in fishing gear, but fisheries also represent an abundant source of food that may otherwise be inaccessible. Previous studies with seabirds have revealed the occurrence of individual foraging specializations, and therefore in scavenging species some individuals may have a higher propensity to feed on fisheries discharges than the rest of the population. Here we used recently developed techniques (spatio‐temporal match of positions) to detect interactions between black‐browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris and fishing vessels, and also stable isotope analysis of tissues with different turnovers, to investigate long‐term individual specialization in fishery waste products. We combined global positioning system tracking data from 89 birds with vessel monitoring system data from the entire fleet operating around the Falklands Islands, in 2009 and 2011. Interactions with vessels (freezer/factory bottom trawlers) occurred in 15 out of 89 independent albatross trips. Among individuals tracked in both years, those that associated with fisheries in 2009 were not more likely to do so again in 2011. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures in whole blood and feathers of albatrosses that interacted with trawlers were similar to those of individuals that did not. Also, we found no correlation between feather and blood isotopic ratios of carbon or nitrogen, indicating no long‐term consistency in the isotopic niche of study birds. These results suggest no specialization of individual albatrosses with regard to fisheries. Studies of other albatrosses have also failed to show long‐term trophic consistency, which may indicate that scavenging albatrosses, a group particularly threatened by fisheries activity, do not specialize in discards. Therefore, any management actions leading to a reduction of discards will be beneficial, decreasing the numbers of birds behind vessels and consequently the likelihood of incidental mortality.


Regulated school days entail less free-living physical activity (PA) and outdoor stay, which may jeopardize the opportunities for cohesive moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and, by extension, children's health. The role of outdoor stay during school time for pupils' free-living PA vs. physical education (PE) and indoor stay was studied during one academic year in 196 pupils aged 7–14 years at four schools in mid-southern Sweden during five consecutive days each in September, March, and May. Actigraph GT3X+ Activity monitors were used. Predictors for PA during school stay were expressed as mean daily accelerometer counts and were measured per season, day, grade, gender, weather, and time outdoors. Overall, free-living PA outdoors generated the highest mean accelerometer counts for moderate and vigorous PA. Outdoor PA and PE, representing 23.7% of the total school time contributed to 50.4% of total mean accelerometer counts, and were the greatest contributors to moderate and vigorous PA. Age and weather impacted PA, with less PA in inclement weather and among older pupils. More time outdoors, at all seasons, would favorably increase school children's chances of reaching recommended levels of PA.


OBJECTIVE
To identify differences in outcomes and map characteristics in pediatric bilateral cochlear implants with modiolar conforming and lateral wall arrays in opposite ears.

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective case series.

SETTING
Tertiary care pediatric referral center.

PATIENTS
Fourteen children who received a perimodiolar array in one ear and a slim straight array in the opposite ear in sequential surgeries.

INTERVENTIONS
None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Consonant-nucleus-consonant test (CNC) word recognition score, battery life, power levels, electrical compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds, and electrical threshold and comfort charge levels.

RESULTS
Speech perception outcomes were poorer in the lateral wall ears than the perimodiolar ears, and scores in the bilateral condition were better than with the lateral wall device alone. Sequential placement was a factor with differences in preoperative candidacy time correlating with greater difference in speech perception. There was no difference in charge levels between ears, in spite of higher ECAP threshold values for the lateral wall devices.

CONCLUSION
While bilateral speech perception was good, speech perception with the lateral wall device alone was poorer. This cannot be explained solely by the device, as differences in preoperative candidacy time were a significant factor. ECAP thresholds are significantly higher for lateral wall electrodes, but that did not translate in to higher psychophysical measurements.


This paper identifies variations in the age and gender characteristics of informal carers in the UK. The paper is based on the Individual Sample of Anonymous Records, a 3% random sample of the 2001 UK Census. The sample size was 1 825 595. Of this sample, 10% were reported to be carers. The analysis shows that informal caregiving is systematically linked with both age and gender. Caregiving increased with age until reaching a peak in the 45-59 age group, in which almost 20% were carers. Similarly, the amount of time spent caregiving increased with age, with the highest levels of caregiving commitment in people aged 80-89 years. Regarding gender, 11.3% of women were carers compared to 8.6% of men and overall women committed more time to caregiving than men. However, this pattern was reversed in later life (70+), where there was a higher proportion of carers and greater time commitment to caregiving amongst men. While the predominance of women as informal carers has been well reported, the importance of men as informal carers in old age is much less commented upon. This study thus suggests that informal caregiving is most prevalent in groups of the population that, according to previous research, may experience most strain from doing so: elderly people who may be frail and often are in a spousal relationship with the care-recipient, and middle-aged women with multiple roles. Therefore, it is of great importance that their particular needs and circumstances are fully taken into account both in the development of formal support and when information about available support is targeted.


ABSTRACT In the earliest stages of animal development following fertilization, maternally deposited mRNAs direct biological processes to the point of zygotic genome activation (ZGA). These maternal mRNAs undergo cytoplasmic polyadenylation (CPA), suggesting translational control of their activation. To elucidate the biological role of CPA during embryogenesis, we performed genome-wide polysome profiling at several stages of zebrafish development. Our analysis revealed a correlation between CPA and polysome-association dynamics, demonstrating a coupling of translation to the CPA of maternal mRNAs. Pan-embryonic CPA inhibition disrupted the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), causing a failure of developmental progression beyond the mid-blastula transition and changes in global gene expression that indicated a failure of ZGA and maternal mRNA clearance. Among the genes that were differentially expressed were those encoding chromatin modifiers and key transcription factors involved in ZGA, including nanog, pou5f3 and sox19b, which have distinct CPA dynamics. Our results establish the necessity of CPA for ensuring progression of the MZT. The RNA-seq data generated in this study represent a valuable zebrafish resource for the discovery of novel elements of the early embryonic transcriptome. Summary: Genome-wide polysome profiling reveals that developmental progression through the maternal-to-zygotic transition in zebrafish depends on the precise translational activation of a subset of maternal mRNAs by cytoplasmic polyadenylation.


This project shows that lessons learned and successes from a wide variety of international stormwater beneficial use projects cover a range of conditions that may be found in the U.S. Examined are case studies from developing countries in both arid and wet climates, case studies from developed countries in areas where future water conservation is necessary to support continued growth, and from developed countries where sustainable use of natural resources is of high priority. Also examined are typical water quality conditions from different stormwater sources in urban areas and desirable (or regulated) water quality requirements for the use of this water for different applications. Water quality degradation associated with different storage options is also reviewed along with different water treatment options to meet the needed "finished" water quality before use. Guidance is provided on how to determine the amount of supplemental landscape irrigation needed from stored stormwater, and how to calculate needed tankage volumes for many locations in the U.S. The report calculates the beneficial use opportunities of stormwater, especially landscaping irrigation, in different areas of the country, along with continuous modeling results for the development of production functions for tankage volume alternatives.

This title belongs to WERF Research Report Series .

ISBN: 9781780400365 (eBook)


This thesis deals with accounting-based equity valuation models. The first study contrasts the performance of three commonly used valuation models, using a large sample of analysts' forecasts of the elements valued by these models (free cash flow, dividends and abnormal earnings/residual income). The second study investigates empirically whether discount rate estimation is a first-order effect in equity valuation. The third and fourth studies focus on developing routines for implementation of multi-period valuation models, including the critical issue of terminal value estimation. The thesis shows how model choice is a critical issue, given standard implementation of the valuation models (Study 1); how standard models for discount rate estimation are of little or no use practically (Study 2); how one can implement a multi-period valuation framework such that everything is internally consistent, and how this leads to several desirable features, such as model equivalency (Studies 3 and 4). The thesis is valuable to readers interested in accounting-based equity valuation who wish to understand, to distinguish among, and to appropriately implement valuation techniques.


The rate of phospholipid hydrolysis in erythrocyte ghosts by Bacillus cereus phospholipase C was markedly decreased by the presence of NaCl at concentrations between 25 and 200 mM. The inhibition seemed to be due to Cl- and was unaffected by the type of cation present. The larger univalent anions such as HCO3-, Br-, Cl-, NO3-, CNO- and I- seemed most effective, whereas the bivalent anion SO42- was relatively ineffective at 0.1 M, as were acetate and formate. Tris buffers at 0.1 M caused marked inhibition. With bovine brain myelin, phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase C was also much more strongly inhibited by I- and Cl- than by SO42- or acetate. NaCl inhibited the hydrolysis by the enzyme of the soluble substrate dihexanoylglycerophosphocholine, thereby suggesting that the inhibiton did not arise simply from substrate effects.


Although conventional linear regression techniques assume time constancy of parameters time varying coefficient or the problem of structural instability in econometric relationships has been recognized by econometricians. In this study, time varying impact of captive supply on fed cattle cash market price is investigated via flexible least squares approach. Time path of flexible least squares coefficient estimate indicates an approximately four fold increase in price impact of captive supply over the sample period, but even this multiplied price impact is small compared to the effect of boxed beef price which shows negligible time variation. The time path also aids in identification of structural breaks in the price impact of captive supply.


Abstract. Brewer total ozone column measurements started in Sodankyla in May 1988, 9 months after the signing of The Montreal Protocol. The Brewer instrument has been well maintained and frequently calibrated since then to produce a high-quality ozone time series now spanning more than 25 years. The data have now been uniformly reprocessed between 1988 and 2014. The quality of the data has been assured by automatic data rejection rules as well as by manual checking. Daily mean values calculated from the highest-quality direct sun measurements are available 77 % of time with up to 75 measurements per day on clear days. Zenith sky measurements fill another 14 % of the time series and winter months are sparsely covered by moon measurements. The time series provides information to survey the evolution of Arctic ozone layer and can be used as a reference point for assessing other total ozone column measurement practices.


This investigation explores the natural convection in a water-filled straight inclined fracture in rock subject to a uniform background temperature increasing with depth. The numerical solutions cover aspect ratios from 2 to 50, with Rayleigh numbers of magnitude 1, 10, and 100. The inclination angle ranges from 0° to 90° to the horizontal. The results demonstrate that a straight inclined fracture experiences a gradient-driven convection flow whose strength is strongly dependent on aspect ratio. The flow increases as the fracture angle changes from either purely horizontal or purely vertical, with a maximum at 45°. It is observed that fractures with an aspect ratio as low as 10 exhibit average velocities at the midplane of nearly 90% of the values calculated from the analytical solution for the infinite aspect ratio limit.


Geothermometric and geobarometric methods are considered under two groupings: directly calibrated methods and internally consistent data set methods. Emphasis is placed on the importance of error propagation calculations. They allow the calculation of model uncertainties on temperatures and pressures due to the quantifiable uncertainties involved in the calibration and application of methods. The possibility of systematic errors, due to the unquantifiable effects of the assumptions and approximations involved, must be evaluated using the criterion of geological reasonableness. The advantages of the internally consistent data set approach are expounded and an appropriate error propagation procedure developed.


Dehydration attenuates the increase in hindlimb blood flow produced by environmental heating (EH) in baboons. This study explored whether intravascular volume repletion alone was sufficient to remove this dehydration-induced attenuation. In six unanesthetized, chronically instrumented baboons, the increases in hindlimb blood flow during EH were measured under these conditions: euhydrated, dehydrated (64-68 h of water deprivation) without fluid replenishment, and dehydrated with intravenous fluid replenishment by either 6% high-molecular-weight dextran solution (to replenish vascular volume) or hyperosmotic saline (to replenish vascular and interstitial fluid volumes). EH consisted of acute exposure to ambient temperatures of 38-42 degrees C until core temperature (Tc) reached 39.5 degrees C. During dehydration without fluid replenishment the increments in mean iliac artery blood flow (MIBF) and iliac vascular conductance (IVC) produced by EH (i.e., value at Tc = 39.5 degrees C - pre-EH value) were reduced by 39 and 44%, respectively. After infusion of a volume of dextran solution equal to blood volume lost during dehydration, the increment in MIBF during EH was partially restored to the euhydrated level, but the increment in IVC remained at the dehydrated level. Infusion of hyperosmotic saline during dehydration completely restored the increases in MIBF and IVC during EH to euhydrated levels. Thus restoration of normal blood volume alone in dehydrated baboons does not completely restore normal hindlimb vasodilation during EH.


We analyze the optimal decision-making hierarchy in an organization when decision-makers of limited liability have preferences conflicting with the organization's objective and exert externalities on their counterparts. In a horizontal hierarchy, every decision is made by a different agent. In a vertical hierarchy, one agent is in charge of all decisions. Only this agent is incentivized. This advantage is outweighed if there is a horizontal hierarchy so that the decision-makers' preferences are close to the organization's objective with respect to the decision they are in charge of but far from the organization's objective for the other decisions.


Machines are increasingly doing "intelligent" things. Face recognition algorithms use a large dataset of photos labeled as having a face or not to estimate a function that predicts the presence y of a face from pixels x. This similarity to econometrics raises questions: How do these new empirical tools fit with what we know? As empirical economists, how can we use them? We present a way of thinking about machine learning that gives it its own place in the econometric toolbox. Machine learning not only provides new tools, it solves a different problem. Specifically, machine learning revolves around the problem of prediction, while many economic applications revolve around parameter estimation. So applying machine learning to economics requires finding relevant tasks. Machine learning algorithms are now technically easy to use: you can download convenient packages in R or Python. This also raises the risk that the algorithms are applied naively or their output is misinterpreted. We hope to make them conceptually easier to use by providing a crisper understanding of how these algorithms work, where they excel, and where they can stumble—and thus where they can be most usefully applied.


In this paper, micromachined devices for millimeter-wave applications at U- and V-bands are presented. These structures are designed using a rectangular coaxial line built of gold-coated SU-8 photoresist layers, where the coaxial center conductor is suspended in air by stubs. The designs include a stepped coplanar waveguide (CPW)-to-coaxial transition at 63 GHz, with an insertion loss of 0.39 dB at 67.75 GHz and a return loss better than −10 dB across the band of operation between 54.7 and 70.3 GHz. Two filters have been designed; one centered at 42 GHz with a 10% bandwidth, and another at 63 GHz with a 5% bandwidth. Measured insertion losses of 0.77 and 2.59 dB were obtained for these filters, respectively. Measured return loss lower than 13.8 dB over the passband was achieved for both designs. The structures presented in this paper involve a low-cost manufacturing process suitable to produce integrated subsystems at millimeter waves.


Arthrofibrosis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is difficult to treat, as its aetiology remains unclear. In a previous study, we established a connection between the BMP-2 concentration in the synovial fluid and arthrofibrosis after TKA. The hypothesis of the present study was, therefore, that the limited range of motion in arthrofibrosis is caused by BMP-2 induced heterotopic ossifications, the quantity of which is dependent on the BMP-2 concentration in the synovial fluid. Eight patients with arthrofibrosis after TKA were included. The concentration of BMP-2 in the synovial fluid from each patient was determined by ELISA. Radiologically, digital radiographs were evaluated and the grey scale values were determined as a measure of the tissue density of defined areas. Apart from air, cutis, subcutis and muscle, the soft-tissue density in the area of the capsule of the suprapatellar pouch was determined. The connection between the BMP-2 concentration and the soft-tissue density was then investigated. The average BMP-2 concentration in the synovial fluid was 24.3 ± 6.9 pg/ml. The density of the anterior knee capsule was on average 136 ± 35 grey scale values. A linear correlation was shown between the BMP-2 concentration in the synovial fluid and the radiological density of the anterior joint capsule (R=0.84, p = 0.009). We were able to show that there is a connection between BMP-2 concentration and soft-tissue density in arthrofibrosis after TKA. This opens up the possibility of conducting a prophylaxis against arthrofibrosis in risk patients by influencing the BMP-2 pathway.


The development of the IT&C has been exceptional in the history of industrial changes and the telecommunication revolution leads to a decrease of the price of telecommunication services and equipment. The huge volume of information change the way of functioning of the markets, restructuring of economic activities and to opening of new opportunities for creating wealth by exploiting the available information. The analysis of informational society during a crisis period implies examining the specific philosophical and methodological problems that appeared while using them and especially the philosophy of the Internet, the philosophy of principally open systems.


The purpose of thise article was to review the drama of holistic human subjectivity in the logic of the development of the world of actions in material production. Methodology of critical psychology was used, according to which a person is considered not as a completed reality, but as a process of becoming. The traditional psychological approach to the problem of the relation between individual and activity is thus opposed to the consistent activity approach, which, however, is implemented not in the usual logic of the phylogeny and ontogeny of the human psyche, but in the logic of its social genesis, involving consideration of the process of formation of the modern world of activities.The authors discuss the contrast of static and dynamic (historical) analysis of the world of activities, which serves as one of the most important determinants of personal development. Throughe the results of the analysis: we identified are the characteristics of the main stages in the development of the world of professional activities - crafts, manufactures, machinery and automated production. It is shown that the evolution of material production is inextricably linked to the collapse of the holistic professional activity, the alienation of man from this activity, and the splitting of the holistic professional activity into work and leisure. The main trends in the world of activity are outlined; these are the genesis of labor and the displacement of people from this labor. Two different forms of the realization of these contradictory tendencies in the modern world are the alienation of labor and the destruction of labor; both serve as different psychological and sociological conditions of personal development.A phenomenon of downshifting is used as an illustration of these trends in the modern world. The results obtained could be employed in sociology, political science, general psychology (psychology of activity and personality psychology) and applied psychology (work psychology). Conclusion: The future of the world of activities is in the decrease of working hours in material production, and in providing people with the opportunities for authentic self-actualization and integration of their holistic subjectivity in leisure time. The destruction of the labor is an existential and social solution to the "crisis" of confrontation between two ideological paradigms of the XX century: the "infinite dead end" of capitalism or the endless rebirth of "dead-end" socialism.


OBJECTIVE To examine the relative importance of maternal preexisting type 1 diabetes (T1D), preexisting type 2 diabetes (T2D), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on risk of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This retrospective birth cohort study included 333,182 singletons born in 1995–2012 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals. Children were prospectively followed through electronic medical records from age 4 years. Relative risks of ADHD associated with diabetes exposures in utero were estimated by hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox regression with adjustment for potential confounders. For GDM, timing of exposure was evaluated by gestational age at diagnosis and severity was assessed by the need for antidiabetes medication treatment during pregnancy. RESULTS A total of 37,878 (11.4%) children were exposed to diabetes (522 exposed to T1D, 7,822 T2D, and 29,534 GDM). During a median of 4.9 years (interquartile range 2.2, 9.6) of follow-up after age 4 years, 17,415 (5.2%) children were diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD risk was not associated with GDM taken as a whole (P = 0.50) or with gestational age at GDM diagnosis (P = 0.16). However, the risk was significantly greater for the GDM requiring versus not requiring antidiabetes medications (P < 0.001). Compared with children unexposed to diabetes, the adjusted HRs for ADHD in children were 1.57 (95% CI 1.09–2.25) for exposure to T1D, 1.43 (1.29–1.60) for T2D, 1.26 (1.14–1.41) for GDM requiring antidiabetes medications, and 0.93 (0.86–1.01) for GDM not requiring medications. CONCLUSIONS The hierarchy of risks suggests that severity of maternal diabetes (T1D vs. T2D vs. GDM requiring antidiabetes medications) influences the risk of ADHD in offspring of mothers with diabetes.


This comprehensive resource manual explains why and how the reform of fisheries subsidies has become one of the most important international efforts to achieve global, environmental, economic and developmental policy coherence. It provides a historic overview, synthesis and analysis of key issues regarding fisheries subsidies reform and the current development of fisheries subsidies negotiations at the WTO. The book presents country experienecs from Ecuador, Norway and Senegal illustrating the impact of subsidies and reform processess. Accompanying the manual is a CD-ROM containing relevant source material from other organisations for further reading. Includes forward by A. Steiner.


This paper presents the feasibility challenges of designing dc-dc buck and boost converter in nano-scale. With the gradual development of VLSI design platforms, new issues have been introduced and presented to the power electronics circuit experts and VLSI engineers. Today's VLSI industry has reached the technology well within the nano-meter range. The consequence of implementing the basic power electronics converter topology such as buck and boost converter into this technology is discussed in this paper. It also covers the optimization issues between conduction modes, switching frequencies, efficiency and chip area. Fabrication issues are discussed, with the limitations of use of elements such as inductor, capacitors and resistors. Tradeoffs between chip area and performance are highlighted. Design challenge for optimum switching frequency, off the chip capacitor, and strategies to minimize switching and conduction losses are also discussed


"The study of the urban and rural growth in the State of Bahia [Brazil] during the period of 1940-80 is the purpose of this research. This study was done through an integrated analysis of the annual geometric growth rates, and the application of several growth models. The analysis showed that the urbanization and 'de-ruralization' processes were intense and that this trend will be stronger in the near future." (SUMMARY IN ENG)


The discrepancy between cigarette smoking status reported during an interview and measured level of serum cotinine, a nicotine biomarker, was investigated in a representative sample of the US population aged ≥ 17 years ( N = 15,357). Data were collected from participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994). Among self-reported smokers, 7.5% (95% confidence interval: 6.3, 8.7) had a serum cotinine level less than or equal to 15.0 ng/ml, the selected cutoff point for identifying nonsmokers. Age ( p < 0.01), race/ethnicity ( p < 0.01), and average number of cigarettes smoked per day ( p < 0.01) were associated with these discrepant findings. Among self-reported nonsmokers, 1.4% (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 1.7) had a serum cotinine level greater than 15.0 ng/ml, the selected cutoff point for identifying smokers. Race/ethnicity ( p < 0.01), education ( p < 0.01), number of household members who smoked in the home ( p = 0.03), and self-reported smoking status from an earlier home interview ( p < 0.01) were associated with these discrepant findings. Differences in smoking patterns, including the extent of nicotine dosing, may explain most of the discrepancy observed among self-reported smokers, whereas deception regarding smoking status may explain most of the discrepancy among self-reported nonsmokers. This study provides evidence that self-reported smoking


The co-ordination chemistry of metal-phosphine complexes has developed dramatically since its appearance in 1857 by Hofman 11 and now it is one of the major areas in inorganic chemistry. The architecture of phosphine ligands to stabilise unusual complexes and oxidation states is the major contribution for the increasing interest in the chemistry of metal-phosphorous compounds. However, due to the difficulties in their synthesis, phosphorous-based macrocycle systems are rare in comparison to the other systems of analogous nitrogen-based macrocyles. This thesis concerns the detailed study of the chemistry of triphosphamacrocycle ligands with metals of iron, ruthenium, nickel and copper sub-groups. Specifically Fe(II), Ru(II), Ni(II), Ni(I), Ni(0) and Cu(I)X where X is CI, Br and I complexes of 1,5,9-triphosphacyclododecane ligands their syntheses, characterisation and structural analysis have been studied. In Chapter 1, the background of this project is explained. The radical-initiated template coupling of three facially co-ordinated allylphosphine ligands on a neutral (CO)3Mo(0) template leads to the co-ordinated tri-secondary macrocycle, 12-ane-P3H3. The synthesis of tertiary derivatives is two fold, one involving the deprotonation fallowed by alkylation at co-ordinated phosphorus by alkyl halide, in this study the use of Na-dimsyl as a deprotonating agent is documented. The macrocycle {12-ane-P3('Pr)3} is liberated by the oxidation of the template complex stereospecifically as the syn-syn isomer in high yield and its co-ordination chemistry with Fe(II) and Ru(II) is detailed in chapter 2. In Chapter 3, co-ordination studies of triphosphacyclododecane ligand with various oxidation states of nickel compounds has led to a range of novel macrocycle complexes, and they are characterised by multinuclear NMR and infrared spectroscopy. In Chapter 4, the preparation of novel Cu(I) complexes, which contain the macrocycle ligand is reported and described the very first X-Ray crystal structure of Cu(I) bimetallic species.


One of the biggest challenges in mechanical robotics design is the balance between structural integrity and flexibility. An industrial robotic gripper could be technically advanced, however it contains only 1 Degree of Freedom (DOF). If one is to add more DOFs the design would become complex. On the other hand, the human wrist and fingers contain 23 DOFs, and is very lightweight and highly flexible. Robotics are becoming more and more part of our social life, they are more and more being incorporated in social, medical, and personal application. Therefore, for such robots to be effective, they need to mimic human performance, both in performance as well as in mechanical design. In this work, a Humanoid Gripper is designed and built to mimic a simplified version of a human wrist and fingers. This is attempted by mimicking insect and human designs of grippes. The main challenge was to insure that the gripper is structurally sound, but at the same time flexible and lightweight. A combination of light weight material and a unique design of finger actuators were applied. The gripper is controlled by a PARALLAX servo controller 28823 (PSCI), which mounted on the assembly itself. At the end, a 6 DOF humanoid gripper made of lightweight material, similar in size to the human arm, and is able to carry a weight of 1 Kg has been designed and built.


Heretofore the complexity of natural abundance spectra has precluded the use of 13C NMR to detect cis peptide bonds in proteins. We have incorporated [4-13C]proline into chicken calvaria collagen and report here well-resolved C gamma signals, arising from cis and trans X-Pro and X-Hyp peptide bonds (where X is any amino acid residue) in the 13C NMR spectrum of the thermally unfolded protein. Measurement of 13C signal areas shows that 16% of the X-Pro and 8% of X-Hyp bonds are cis in the unfolded collagen. These results strongly support the conclusion drawn from kinetic studies that cis-trans isomerization of peptide bonds is the rate-limiting step in helix propagation after nucleation. Our method can be applied to other proteins as well and should aid in testing the generality of the hypothesis of Brandts, Halvorson, and Brennan that cis-trans isomerization is the rate-limiting step in protein folding when proline is present.


This work describes a new approach for mobile robot navigation using interval analysis and fuzzy logic. The robot is equipped with inertial sensors, encoders and ultrasonic sensors. The map used for this study is two-dimensional and it is assumed to be known. Multiple sensor fusion for robot localisation and navigation has attracted a lot of interested in recent years. The most commonly used approach is based on Kalman filter and other stochastic filters. Here we propose an alternative approach using interval analysis with multiple sets of ultrasonic measurements. Interval analysis has been already successfully applied in the past for robot localisation. But the results obtained may be conservative. Therefore this approach is extended using multiple sets of ultrasonic measurements, which results in estimation of multiple interval robot positions. These multiple interval robot positions are then fused using fuzzy logic to give a less conservative interval robot position estimate. Also interval analysis based algorithm can be used only in the presence of land marks. This problem is overcome here using additional sensors such as encoders and inertial sensors, which gives an estimate of the robot position using fuzzy logic in the absence of land marks.


Professor T. N. George said that Dr. Blundell's discoveries and inferences were of major importance in transforming concepts of British stratigraphy in radical ways. The reconstruction of a deep basin of sediments in the southern Irish Sea was perhaps not wholly unsuspected in view of the earlier geophysical evidence in Cardigan Bay, and of the stratigraphical evidence in the Mochras borehole; but it would scarcely have been guessed that such enormous thicknesses as he envisaged would be preserved in the comparatively narrow trench between Wales and Ireland. A central feature was the ancient delineation of a present-day topography, going back at least to Hercynian times. The geomorphic contrasts revealed by the inferred Mesozoic and Cainozoic thicknesses were a direct reflection of the persistence of a built-in tectonic frame that had dominated tectonic growth until the present day. The geomorphic development of much of western Britain correspondingly demanded re-assessment and amplification. Several particular points arose from Dr. Blundell's exposition. It would be recalled that in Dinantian times the Leinster massif was progressively overstepped from the south, and similar fluctuating overstep was to be seen in Pembrokeshire. In a former reconstruction it was suggested that a northward embayment of Dinantian rocks occupied the floor of the channel between. It now appeared that the embayment might extend well into the southern Irish Sea and into Cardigan Bay to form a thick pile analogous to the Dinantian sequence in southern Pembrokeshire and in southernmost Ireland, with perhaps thick Upper Carboniferous rocks overlying. There would


The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of male characteristics on semen quality and to evaluate the impact of items of both parameters on ICSI outcome, with special focus on the clinical significance of sperm DNA integrity testing.

Patients and Methods: This study included 100 non-azoospermic infertile men scheduled for ICSI. For each patient, full personal, demographic and medical data were collected and its relation to standard semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation (assessed by COMET assay) and ICSI outcomes were analysed.

Results: Basic semen parameters were not correlated well with the studied male characteristics, except for the significant difference between hash users and non-users regarding seminal volume (p=0.019).

Among the studied male characteristics, the only parameters that correlated well with increased sperm mean DNA fragmentation index was increased husband's age and smoking status (p< 0.000), however, pregnancy outcome after ICSI was not affected by the three parameters.

A significant statistical correlation was found between urban residency, chemical occupational exposure and increased female age with negative pregnancy outcome (p=0.018, 0.036 and 0.040 respectively), while there was no significant statistical correlation between pregnancy outcome neither with other male characteristics nor with standard semen parameters.

Conclusion: Paternal characteristics were not correlated well with conventional semen parameters. Although sperm DNA status was affected by smoking and aging, it does not influence ICSI outcome. Contrarily, other male characteristics (e.g. Urban residency and chemical occupational exposure) negatively correlated with pregnancy outcome without concomitant affection of sperm DNA status, which exclude DNA disruption as an explanation for the negative impact of paternal factors on ICSI.


Error amplification (EA) feedback is a promising approach to advance visuomotor skill. As error detection and visuomotor processing at short time scales decline with age, this study examined whether older adults could benefit from EA feedback that included higher-frequency information to guide a force-tracking task. Fourteen young and 14 older adults performed low-level static isometric force-tracking with visual guidance of typical visual feedback and EA feedback containing augmented high-frequency errors. Stabilogram diffusion analysis was used to characterize force fluctuation dynamics. Also, the discharge behaviors of motor units and pooled motor unit coherence were assessed following the decomposition of multi-channel surface electromyography (EMG). EA produced different behavioral and neurophysiological impacts on young and older adults. Older adults exhibited inferior task accuracy with EA feedback than with typical visual feedback, but not young adults. Although stabilogram diffusion analysis revealed that EA led to a significant decrease in critical time points for both groups, EA potentiated the critical point of force fluctuations , short-term effective diffusion coefficients (Ds), and short-term exponent scaling only for the older adults. Moreover, in older adults, EA added to the size of discharge variability of motor units and discharge regularity of cumulative discharge rate, but suppressed the pooled motor unit coherence in the 13–35 Hz band. Virtual EA alters the strategic balance between open-loop and closed-loop controls for force-tracking. Contrary to expectations, the prevailing use of closed-loop control with EA that contained high-frequency error information enhanced the motor unit discharge variability and undermined the force steadiness in the older group, concerning declines in physiological complexity in the neurobehavioral system and the common drive to the motoneuronal pool against force destabilization.


A number of new high speed wireless LAN standards are now being developed around the world that will allow data rates of between 24 and 155 Mb/s to be achieved over distances up to 100 m. These radio tails are also being optimised to integrate with fixed, high speed, ATM networks. In Europe, the HIPERLAN type 1 standard has already been drafted and dedicated spectrum has been reserved. The European Commission has funded a wide range of new projects under the ACTS initiative to support the development of a number of new wireless LAN and ATM demonstrators at frequencies ranging from 5, 17, 19, 40 and 60 GHz. ETSI are continuing to develop a number of new HIPERLAN standards and through co-operation with bodies such as the Wireless ATM forum, there is hope that the HIPERLAN physical layers will also be suitable for use in the North American market. Research projects such as ACTS AWACS (which includes a Japanese partner) are also bridging the standardisation gap between Europe and Japan by disseminating results into both the European and Japanese standardisation bodies.


In this fourth article quantum variant of expanding earth model and pre-Cambrian evolution of continents, climate, and life are developed. Cambrian explosion represents a rather mysterious period in biology: new highly developed phylas emerged out of nowhere. A second strange finding is that continents would fit together to form single super-continent covering entire Earth's surface at time of Cambrian explosion if the radius of Earth would have been one half of its recent value. TGD inspired quantum cosmology predicts that astrophysical objects do not follow cosmic expansion except in jerk-wise quantum leaps increasing the gigantic value of the gravitational Planck constant characterizing space-time mediating gravitational interactions between two masses or gravitational self-interactions. This assumption provides explanation for the apparent cosmological constant. Also planets are predicted to expand in a stepwise manner. This provides a new version of Expanding Earth theory originally postulated to explain the intriguing findings suggesting that continents have once formed a connected continent covering almost the entire surface of Earth but with radius which was one half of the recent one. This leads also to a rather fascinating vision about biology.


AIM
To develop a tool forecasting survival of elderly patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) from colorectal cancer (CRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Fifty-seven patients were retrospectively evaluated. Eleven characteristics were investigated for survival. Independent characteristics were used for the tool. Scores were obtained from dividing 6-month survival rates by 10. From summing these points, patient scores were obtained.

RESULTS
On survival analysis (Cox regression model), organ metastases (p=0.006), performance status (p<0.001), pre-radiotherapy walking ability (p<0.001) and the dynamic of developing motor weakness (p=0.033) were significant factors affecting survival and were incorporated into the tool. Possible patient scores were 5, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20 or 24 points. Three groups were created with scores of 5-10, 13-16 and 20-24 points, with 6-month survival rates of 4%, 23% and 79%, respectively (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
By applying this tool, it is possible to forecast the survival of elderly patients experiencing MESCC from CRC, which is important for optimal treatment personalization.